Your company can be fined for anxiety – and nobody has prepared

Update nr-01 transforms mental health into legal requirements. Experts explain how to adapt before the inspection

In force since May 2025, companies of all dimensions in Brazil can be accused of abandonment for the mental health of their employees. This is because the new formulation of the regulatory standard n. 1 (nr-01), updated on August 28, 2024, began to legally request the mapping and control of the so-called psychosocial risks, an unprecedented advance in the protection policies of public workers.

Chronic stress, exhausting travel, abusive objectives, bullying, anxiety and burnout are now part of the scope controlled by the work authorities. This is no longer voluntary initiatives or the goodwill of companies: it is in the law and non -compliance can involve fines, work processes and interdictions.

“It is a key turning point. For the first time, Brazilian work legislation treats mental health as a compulsory risk management element. Companies that do not adapt to the NR-01 can be responsible for the causes of omission,” explains Julia Garcia De Moraes, a specialized lawyer at work.

The numbers behind the new requirement

Brazil is experiencing a silent epidemic of mental illness in the corporate environment. In 2024, 472,328 work removal were recorded by mental disorders, according to the Ministry of Social Security – a leap of 68% compared to 2023. Anxiety alone reaches 26.8% of the Brazilian population, the equivalent of 56 million people, according to the Covitel/2024 survey.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that the global loss of productivity caused by anxiety and depression exceeds $ 1 trillion of dollars a year.

“These data justify the change in the norm. NR-01 is aligned with a world movement. Anyone who continues to treat mental health as a secondary question will pay dearly in any way,” warns Juliane.

What nr-01 now requires

The standard requires all companies with employees governed by CLT to implement a risk management program (PGR) and a continuous plan for monitoring and prevention of psychosocial risk.

According to the accounting Simage, which serves small and medium -sized companies throughout Brazil, this obligation generated doubts and fear.

“Many entrepreneurs think that they will have to create entire departments or take expensive advice, but it is not so. NR-01 requires a realistic plan, based on the diagnosis of the workplace and continuous prevention actions, such as training, revision of objectives, structuring of the listening channel and reorganization of the trip”, explains Patricia Soffin, CEO of society.

“Our mission was to translate the rule for the daily life of the small entrepreneur. These are not waste – these are people. The organizational climate, productivity and reputation”, he adds.

The impact on practice: less diseases, more strategy

The SIT RADAR (Labor Isspection Information System) has already recorded over 38,000 infringement notices for non-compliance with the safety and health rules in 2023. With the update of NR-01, the inspection should be extended to include audit on the treatment of emotional risk.

Patricia warns that, in addition to administrative sanctions, the impact can be invisible – but profound: “An employee removed from the burnout can cost months of productivity, more compensation, more processes. The responsibility for the work generated by the negligence of mental health is silent but high. And what we see is that, with simple measures, many companies can change this scenario.”

How to prepare leadership to apply NR-01

To efficiently respect the NR-01, the role of leadership is fundamental. This is what Flávio Lettieri, business consultant with over 30 years of experience, which today allows leaders on topics such as well -being, the purpose and emotional management.

Flavio not only speaks of theory: in 2023, he faced an anxiety crisis that led him to hospitalization. The episode became the turning point of its trajectory and produced the book “Anxiety: learning to live with and balance well -being and productivity”.

“Nr-01 requires a change in culture. It is no use of having a document signed if the manager continues to charge impossible objectives, keeping lack of compared to pauses or requests for help. The leader must be trained to recognize the signs of exhaustion in others and himself,” says Lettieri.

He leads seminars and lessons aimed at the practical adequacy of the standard: leader’s training, simple practices of organizational well -being and construction of psychologically safe environments.

“The good news is that it must not be expensive. With small, convenient and strategic actions, it is possible to respect the NR-01, improve the climate and reduce authorizations and turnover,” he says.

The time to act is now

The notice phase of the new regulatory standard n. 01 (nr-01) officially begins in May 2026. Until then, the inspection will be educational and orientative, but the deadline for companies to be adapted is already running. The expert recommendation is that the adjustments begin this semester, in particular in the area of health and safety at work, responsible for the integration of the required data.

The work lawyer Julia Garcia and the director of the accounting of the sounds, Patrícia Simnsazini strengthens that the implementation of the NR-01 requires requests and time, in particular in companies that do not work with organizational climate or mental health indicators. The new regulation is connected to sensitive information by the worker, such as electronic and social security data.

“It is not something that is resolved with a motivational lesson. We must map the risks, create practicable plans and support a daily assistance culture. This is the real change that is bringing”, concludes Patricia Suffin.

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Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.